Magnus effect cylindrical projectile and launcher

The present invention is a toy projectile and launcher system. The lightweight projectile has an exterior surface symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis. The launcher has planar leaves or holding pins, for receiving and holding the projectile. Within the launcher is a spring-loaded element that moves between cocked and released positions. The spring-loaded element contacts a first planar leaf or a first holding pin as the spring-loaded element moves from cocked to released position. Contact with the spring-loaded element causes the leaves or pins to pinch the projectile and launch the projectile into flight in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. In an alternate embodiment, rotational and linear velocities are imparted to a projectile by action of a ribbon held against the projectile's exterior surface by parallel members. Contact with the spring-loaded element causes the ribbon to translate along the length of said parallel members and into flight.